How to Make Your Own Distilled Water for Plants

Is Distilled Water the Best for Plants?

We have always known that water is essential to a plant’s growth. Without it, the plants would not be able to absorb the nutrients they need and hence, would not grow healthy or won’t definitely grow at all. That is why watering the plants regularly makes a huge difference.

As a gardener or a plant lover, you probably have known the basic facts about planting and growing plants and flowers. You also know that there will be times where the plants do not grow as quickly or healthy as they should be.

Have you thought of any reasons why this happens at times? Did you ever think that, perhaps, the kind of water you are using might not be good for your plants? Think again.

Tap Water VS Distilled Water

As far as everyone knows, tap water has always been the best option for watering the plants. It is reasonable, though, because it is cheaper and quite accessible for most homeowners and gardeners. It requires less effort as well.

However, there are certain facts about the use of tap water that altered their decision. With such matter, they looked for another and better option of taking good care of their plants – distilled water.

Distilled water may not be a common choice of many, but more preferred than tap water due to its benefits and incredible characteristics. And I would love to share you how these two types differ from each other. You can refer to the notes I have jotted down in the comparison table below.

Watering with Tap Water

Watering with Distilled Wate

Tap water contains chemicals that may harm your plants such as chlorine and fluoride. These chemical contents are commonly used as a treatment for public water supply.

Distilled water executes all the harmful chemical substances that can possibly damage the plants such as bacteria, viruses, parasites, organic and inorganic chemicals, heavy metals, volatile gases and other possible contaminants.

This is utterly harsh for houseplants or indoor plants because the chemical substances will build up within the soil thus cannot be washed away by rain.

Watering with a distilled water, especially on indoor plants, helps them to be nourished with the nutrients or minerals that are essential to their growth.

Tap water contains high concentrations of minerals that may cause discoloration of leaves and impeded growth.

Distilled water do not contain high concentrations of minerals that can damage the plants but rather provide the sufficient and suitable amount of minerals the plants require.

It can suffice the plants with the necessary amount of water but not as nurturing as what the distilled water provides. Plants may not grow at an optimal height and with fewer leaves.

The plants can get the best care they need. The growth is more productive. They can grow at the optimal height and with plentiful number of healthy leaves.

It is not preferable for indoor plants or houseplants

Highly recommended for indoor plants or houseplants.

From what is stated in the comparison table, using tap water is fine but it may cause risks on the growth of your plants. These are some of the facts about watering with tap water that we may not have known about for a long time. But then, every problem can always be resolved with a better solution. Watering the plants with a distilled water, for example.

It may require more effort or you might even spend more money with it, but you can get more than what you need if you water your plants with a distilled water. It guarantees productive and healthy growth for your plants. But, what if you do not have any distilled water at home? Is it possible to make your own distilled water? Yes, Definitely.

Easy Steps: How to Make Your Own Distilled Water

Distilled water is not as accessible as the tap water, but does not mean it is impossible to get. The good news is water distillers are available in some stores. You can also just buy a bottle of a distilled water if you want to! But if you really do not want to spend another penny for it, you can actually just make your own at home. You may need more effort to do it, though, but you can pretty much use whatever is available in your home.

In this process, you can use a tap water or catch some rain in a bucket. Rain water is probably the best option, but of course, you cannot always get that anytime of the year or season. However, once you do, make sure it is not acidic. The acids can affect the growth of your plants or worse, entirely damage them. If rain water is really not possible, you can still opt for tap water.

What You Need:

Stainless steel pot

Heat-resistant bowl

A bucket of ice

Cover lid

Once you have these tools, you can proceed to the following steps.

Fill the pot with about half way with tap water, filtered water or rain water.

Get a heat-resistant bowl. Place it inside the pot and let it float. This bowl will be the one to collect the distilled water.

Get the lid. Larger lid, the better. Flip it over the pit and put some ice.

Turn on the stove until the water starts to boil.

Once the water boils, turn down the stove and let it simmer.

When the hot water touches the cold lid, condensation process will take place.

You will notice that the bottom of the lid or the other side of the lid is going to be steamy.

As the process keeps on, it will start dripping water to the bowl.

The water droplets will be the distilled water.

If the ice melts, you can place more or as much as what you need.Enter your text here...

If you want to see the actual process, you can watch the video below.

Conclusion

It will always be your final choice regarding what type of water you can use for your plants. But if you really want the best care for them, watering them with a distilled water would be an excellent decision. However, you cannot just water them with whatever amount you want. Proper application and appropriate amount of water are necessary for your plants to grow healthier.

If you want to know more effective ways to improve your plant's’ growth, this article will also help you.

If you have other questions and concerns, don’t hesitate to share them in the comment box below. Enjoy gardening!

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Amelia

Amelia Robinson is a lover of plants and gardens, as well as an educator on this topic. It’s her goal to make sure that you get the chance to learn what you need to about gardening to succeed with your own home garden at the blog RobinsonLovePlants.com. You’re not going to find just a collection of basic articles about gardening here. Instead, she wants to answer the difficult questions for you. She tweets at @robinsonplants

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